Shirou's clones number 30 million

"There's a lot to do today, so I need to get to it early."

As Aizen recalled the memories of his shadow clones, he said:

"You don't need to go home after school this afternoon, I'll come pick you up directly."

"Huh...? Is it because I haven't mastered the Instant Step yet, and I need to increase my practice time?"

"No, that's not it. As for Shunpo alone, you'll have mastered it in one more night."

Aizen paused, then smiled and said:

"There's a banquet at Seireitei this afternoon. You should attend and get to know the other people there."

"Yes! I understand."

Orihime Inoue felt a little curious. A banquet? She wondered what a banquet in Soul Society was like.

Soon after washing up at Aizen's house, Inoue Orihime followed Aizen out of the house.

Having had the same experience yesterday, she knew very well that Aizen would take her out for breakfast next.

But after the soul returns to the body, it needs to take another bath and eat breakfast again.

This makes the time too tight, and by the time they arrive at school, it's almost the same time as their usual school day.

Moreover, he had to trouble Aizen to open the door and see him off multiple times.

"Aizen-sensei, I'll just go to the human world for breakfast from now on."

"Don't be so polite with me, I can easily afford to treat you to breakfast."

"That's not what I meant. I just think that eating breakfast twice in a row is really unnecessary."

"Haha... In that case, take a bottle of energy potion back with you. That stuff can satisfy hunger."

"Huh...?"

I see, no wonder I didn't feel hungry last night.

"If something like that exists, why does Aizen-sensei still need to eat?"

"Eating is sometimes more than just filling your stomach."

What was the purpose of that?

Orihime Inoue really wanted to ask, but she had a feeling that she couldn't get an answer.

The restaurant was already teeming with death in the early morning.

Orihime Inoue, also dressed in a shihachi (a type of Japanese armor), stood out among the crowd due to her unique and incongruous aura.

"Orihime?"

The sudden familiar voice made Orihime Inoue turn around instinctively.

Before my eyes came Rukia, whom I hadn't seen for many days. At this moment, her face was filled with surprise and astonishment, clearly very surprised by her current situation.

"Rukia-san, it's been a long time."

"I thought I had mistaken you for someone else, but it really is you! What are you doing here?"

Rukia glanced awkwardly at Aizen to the side, her eyes filled with an expression that said, "You're actually this kind of person."

"Rukia, why are you here so early in the morning when you're not at the Kuchiki residence?" Aizen asked casually.

"I have too many things to do today, and my family can't change their breakfast time just for me, so I have to eat out."

Rukia lowered her voice and asked again:

"What on earth is going on? Why is Orihime here? Ichigo should just be an exception, right?"

“If there’s one exception, why can’t there be a second?” Aizen countered.

"Of course, but why Orihime? Her spiritual pressure is too weak; she might not even meet the entrance requirements for the Shinigami Academy."

“Spiritual pressure doesn’t mean everything. Perhaps she is a prodigy.”

"Is that so? Such a reason won't convince the public."

Rukia's eyes were full of suspicion, practically screaming "Something's not right" on her face.

Chapter 517 So annoying! Can't I even complain a couple of times?

Chapter 517, Section 518: So annoying! Can't I even complain a couple of times?

Aizen didn't reply, but casually remarked:

"Well... truth is always in the hands of a minority."

Once Orihime Inoue's Zanpakuto awakens, everyone will cherish her.

Rukia couldn't help but scrutinize Orihime Inoue again, and after a long while, she shook her head slightly:

"Sorry, I still can't see anything special about her."

"However, since Captain Aizen insists, I'll wait and see."

"But what if one day in the future I suddenly receive your wedding invitation? I wonder what your response will be?"

Only when she heard the last sentence did Orihime Inoue realize what was happening.

I thought Rukia was complaining about her lack of strength, but I never expected that she meant this.

"Rukia! You've gone too far!"

"...Feel sorry."

Rukia opened her mouth, but hesitated to speak.

There were so many things I wanted to say, and so many questions I wanted to ask, but in front of the new Captain-Commander Aizen and so many Shinigami, it was really hard to say them.

Moreover, to be honest, the relationship between him and her wasn't so good that they could talk about anything.

The only reason I spoke up was because of our brief classmate relationship; I didn't want to see her get scammed.

However, Captain Aizen has a good reputation in this regard, so he shouldn't be the type to start something and then abandon it.

Perhaps, he really saw some hidden quality in her?

"Captain Aizen, most of the Shinigami stationed outside have been recalled this time. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"Don't worry, it'll only be a day or two."

Aizen paused, then continued:

"With the end of the year approaching, we might as well take this opportunity of returning from the expedition to celebrate the New Year."

“What I mean is, there has never been anything like this before, a grand banquet attended by the entire Seireitei. Isn’t this going too far?” Rukia asked hesitantly.

"What's the big deal? Our Fifth Division holds a banquet every year, this time we've just expanded the scale a bit."

At this point, Aizen couldn't help but chuckle, then changed his words, saying:

"By the way, I'm no longer a member of the Fifth Division."

"Can a banquet held within the Fifth Division be compared to a banquet held throughout the entire Seireitei?" Rukia couldn't help but say. "According to Lieutenant-Captain Hinamori's plan, the tables were even set up on the street."

"Isn't this great? Everyone can celebrate together."

"There are too many people! Captain Aizen, aren't you worried about potential dangers? When the banquet starts, the Seireitei's defenses will be severely weakened. What if a Hollow invades..."

"Aren't there people scheduled to take turns on duty?"

"With tables set up on the street, who's in the mood to take their shifts seriously at a time like that?"

"That's right, then let's remove all the staff on duty."

Rukia was speechless, and couldn't help but raise her voice a few decibels again:

"Haven't I made myself clear enough? Such a banquet has never been held in Soul Society before, and the reason is simply because it's far too dangerous!"

"Where a large number of Shinigami gather, the spiritual energy fluctuations are too intense, which will definitely attract the attention of those super Hollows. Furthermore, the defenses are weak..."

"Don't worry." Aizen smiled nonchalantly. "I guarantee nothing will happen."

"Eh..."

Rukia sighed deeply; this person really had absolutely no sense of crisis.

If it were Captain-Commander Yamamoto in person, he would definitely take my opinion seriously.

However, even with his seniority, Yamamoto, the Captain-Commander, was not qualified to become a vice-captain and had no opportunity to offer any opinions.

"Orihime, it seems like school is still on normal days. How long did you take leave? I've been incredibly busy these past few days. I'd like to have a good talk with you once I have some free time."

"I didn't ask for leave; I still have to go to school later."

"Why...?"

Rukia looked surprised, then instantly realized the other meaning behind her words.

I didn't ask for leave and I'm going to school now, which means I was in Seireitei all night.

"Where do you live? At the First Division's base?"

"Well... let's just say I'm staying at Aizen-sensei's house for now."

As she spoke, Inoue Orihime looked somewhat embarrassed, because she knew very well that her words would be misunderstood.

"Of course, we're just doing special training."

"Really?" Rukia looked at Aizen suspiciously. "You've been training all night?"

"That's right, that's exactly it!"

Orihime Inoue breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's just leave it at that." Rukia remained noncommittal and did not pursue the matter further.

"That's really how it is!"

"I'm full! Well then, I'm going to work, Captain Aizen."

Rukia deliberately emphasized the word "work," and when she found Aizen unmoved, she continued:

"Because the First Division doesn't have much experience in hosting banquets, this banquet will be jointly hosted by the Fifth Division and the First Division."